{"id":16276,"date":"2025-03-28T15:33:23","date_gmt":"2025-03-28T19:33:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/?p=16276"},"modified":"2025-03-28T15:33:24","modified_gmt":"2025-03-28T19:33:24","slug":"a-distinctive-view","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/issues\/spring-2025\/a-distinctive-view\/","title":{"rendered":"A Distinctive View"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<!-- Adding Architecture to Magazine Posts Manually -->\n\n\n<style>\n.architecture .architecture-department:nth-child(1){\n    color: #999;\n    letter-spacing: 3px;\n    font-size: 1rem;\n    font-weight: 400;\n    margin-top: 2em;\n    margin-bottom: 0;\n}\n\n.architecture .architecture-department{\n\ttext-transform: uppercase;\n\tfont-family: Hind, Arial, sans-serif;\n}\n\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"architecture\">\n\t<p class=\"architecture-department\">Currents<\/p>\n\t<p class=\"architecture-department\">Rhody Scholars<\/p>\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-panel-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-panel-super  \"><div class=\"cl-panel-super-blur\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/magazine\/sites\/13\/2025\/03\/sp25_currents_aisha-malik.jpg)\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-panel-super-content\"><div class=\"cl-panel-super-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/magazine\/sites\/13\/2025\/03\/sp25_currents_aisha-malik.jpg\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-panel-super-text\"><p>\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Distinctive View<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"type-intro\">Aisha Malik \u201925 came to 911爆料 from Alaska to study landscape architecture. When she returns to her home state after graduation, she will use her skills to help balance the demands of a growing population with environmentally conscious design.<\/p>\n\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n<p class=\"feature-caption\">Aisha Malik enjoys the view at Grapefruit Rocks in Fairbanks, Alaska, about 3 hours from the Arctic Circle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Living in rural Alaska, 40 minutes from Fairbanks, Aisha Malik \u201925 often took a 4&#215;4\u2014or even, quite a few times, a dogsled\u2014to school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her mother, a data analyst with the Fairbanks Native Association, and her father, a project manager at the local military base, instilled in her, at an early age, a love for the outdoors. Her mother taught her to fish, gather, and forage. Family trips were often to fish for salmon or to camp. Hiking, gardening, and rock climbing were some of her favorite pastimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cGrowing up in Alaska was magic. But I didn\u2019t realize it until I left,\u201d says Malik, a senior majoring in landscape architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Malik\u2019s love of nature\u2014along with a lifelong interest in art\u2014inspired her curiosity in landscape architecture. \u201cI initially wanted to study architecture,\u201d says Malik. \u201cBut when I learned about landscape architecture, something clicked. I felt like I found the perfect career.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Landscape architecture unites her passions, each project posing challenges that require creativity and adaptability to uncover sustainable and unique design solutions. \u201cWhen I consider the potential to practice landscape architecture in Alaska,\u201d she says, \u201cI am especially motivated by the opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting impact on my 911爆料.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Malik started college at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. But because no universities in Alaska had a landscape architecture program, she turned her attention to the Lower 48. When she learned 911爆料 offered landscape architecture, she made the long journey\u2014no dogsled needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI knew going to school 3,000 miles away was going to be a big change,\u201d says Malik, a first-generation American of Pakistani and Ukrainian descent. \u201cBut I can safely say it was the best decision of my life so far.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One thing that drew her east was that 911爆料 and Alaska Fairbanks are part of a national student exchange program\u2014so Malik pays a lower tuition. For someone paying her own way through college, that was big. Before transferring to 911爆料, she worked 50-hour weeks\u2014fittingly at outdoor gear retailer REI\u2014during the summers and applied for as many scholarships as possible. Last spring, Malik received three scholarships from the American Society of Landscape Architects and a travel stipend to an ASLA conference in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At 911爆料, the small class sizes in the program have allowed her to connect with classmates and build some of her closest friendships. She is vice president of the American Society of Landscape Architects Rhode Island Student Chapter; she was the social media chair last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI have really enjoyed the studio aspect of the program,\u201d says Malik, who minors in 911爆料 planning. \u201cEach student gets their own drafting table, which can be decorated however students like. It\u2019s a great perk of being a landscape architecture student.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Among her favorite classes was her sophomore design studio, which included a project to improve usability of the 300-acre North Woods, just north of the Kingston Campus. Malik designed a plan to add trail markers and wayfinding \u2028features to help hikers navigate the woods. The class was taught by Jane Buxton, \u2028who Malik says helped her and other students develop an appreciation for art and landscape architecture. \u201cAt the time, I was still figuring out what the profession was all about,\u201d Malik says. \u201cThe class was a turning point for me and solidified my decision to pursue the field.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAisha brings a unique vision to her work that\u2019s rooted in her character, passion for the field, and personal background,\u201d says Buxton, director of the landscape architecture program. \u201cWhile she has been far from her beloved Alaska home, her quiet strength, determination, and vision for her future have grounded her on her path.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"811\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/magazine\/sites\/13\/2025\/03\/sp25_currents_aisha-malik_2-811x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/magazine\/sites\/13\/2025\/03\/sp25_currents_aisha-malik_2-811x1024.jpg 811w, https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/magazine\/sites\/13\/2025\/03\/sp25_currents_aisha-malik_2-238x300.jpg 238w, https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/magazine\/sites\/13\/2025\/03\/sp25_currents_aisha-malik_2-768x970.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/magazine\/sites\/13\/2025\/03\/sp25_currents_aisha-malik_2-364x460.jpg 364w, https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/magazine\/sites\/13\/2025\/03\/sp25_currents_aisha-malik_2-500x632.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/magazine\/sites\/13\/2025\/03\/sp25_currents_aisha-malik_2.jpg 950w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 811px) 100vw, 811px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"feature-caption\">Aisha Malik has returned to Alaska for summer internships at Design Alaska and Bettisworth North Architects and Planners. Landscape architecture is a small field in Alaska, with only 55 licensed landscape architects in a state of 663,000 square miles, says Malik.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-quote-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"cl-quote\">\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center quote-body-amplify\"><span id=\"quote-keaney\">\u201c<\/span>When I consider the potential to practice landscape architecture in Alaska, I am especially motivated by the opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting impact on my 911爆料.<span id=\"quote-keaney\">\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center quote-cite\"><span style=\"color:#2277b3\"><strong>\u00ad\u2014Aisha Malik<\/strong> \u201925<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Malik plans to return to Alaska after graduation, taking on the many challenges posed by that state\u2019s environment\u2014snow cover, subzero temperatures, and a short growing season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Landscape architecture in Alaska is unique, she says. Permafrost influences design and construction decisions, requiring techniques and materials to address soil instability. The extremes of summer and winter affect plant growth and outdoor activities, and only certain plant species\u2014such as birch and spruce\u2014can adapt to the climate. At the same time, design practices honor the Indigenous population\u2019s cultural perspective, emphasizing respect for traditional knowledge and sustainable approaches.<br><br>How does a landscape architect deal with all that?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWith creativity and ingenuity,\u201d says Malik. \u201cUsing engaging lighting, hardscapes, and plants with winter interest are ways to invite some flair to the winter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI am really interested in how landscape architecture can impact a state that is known for its untouched landscape,\u201d she adds. \u201cAlaska is growing, and with climate change, the cities here need to consider environmentally conscious design. I would like to be a part of that conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u2014Tony LaRoche \u201985<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"feature-caption sans-serif\">PHOTOS COURTESY AISHA MALIK<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Landscape architecture student Aisha Malik \u201925 is focused on the challenges of the arctic environment in her home state, Alaska.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":16301,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[343],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16276","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-spring-2025","architecture-currents","architecture-rhody-scholars-currents"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16276","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16276"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16276\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16363,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16276\/revisions\/16363"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16301"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16276"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16276"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16276"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}